Inquiry told doctors sometimes tried to have favourites jump queue
EDMONTON — The manager of urgent care at a Calgary clinic says there were times when doctors would push to have family and favourites moved to the head of the line.
Don Christensen says it was left to nurses to stand up to doctors and to make sure the most injured patients were seen first.
Christensen was testifying at an inquiry called to determine if politicians and other VIPs received preferential or quicker care.
Christensen works at the Sheldon Chumir (SHOO’-meer) Centre, which looks after emergency but non-life-threatening injuries such as bad cuts and broken bones.
He said there were times when doctors who didn’t work at the clinic would bring in their children for care and try to push them to the front of the line.
Christensen said one time a doctor who had patients at a private clinic tried to let them jump the queue to see him while he was working at the public care centre.
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